Mark N. Klett, President & CEO

A gifted and recognized entrepreneur, Mr. Klett leads by example managing the most complicated start-up programs for government, industry and non-profits. His expertise extends from multi-billion dollar DoD programs like Joint Experimentation as their first Program Manager, to writing strategic plans for the implementation of new concepts, capabilities and associated manpower requirements to implementing a new national organization to help disabled veterans start businesses.

Highly recognized business leader and advisor in the Hampton Roads community, He currently serves as co-chair: Hampton Roads Cybersecurity Industry Steering Committee; Regional Board Member to both the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA). Mr. Klett also serves as a key member of the Virginia Beach Visionary Advisory Board. He is a founding Board Member of Cyber Protection Resources (CPR) a regional cyber public-private partnership to fill a void on the protection and education of all citizens from threats from access to the internet.

He is an Industry Advisor/Partner with the Norfolk State Cybersecurity Program, the Advanced Technology Technical Center, and the Kempsville High School Entrepreneurship Academy in addition to being an active member with the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors and the Professional Services Council.

Moreover, He is a founding member of Service Disabled Veterans Owned Business (SDVOSB) Council. He was instrumental in initiating an outreach program for SDVOSBs regionally and nationally as a valuable resource. For his efforts and relentless advocacy, Mark was awarded Virginia Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year 2010, the first and only winner of this auspicious award from the Hampton Roads area.

A rarity, Mr. Klett is the only Small Business Owner to have testified before both House and Senate committees on behalf of veteran owned small businesses (VOSB). In March 2008, He gave US Congressional testimony to the House Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology on Ensuring Stimulus Contracts for Small & Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Citing “Funding today, means jobs today,” He spoke on how the agility and ability of VOSBs can quickly create jobs rapidly stimulating the local economies. He pointed out when Federal Prime Contracts are awarded to small business, they realize a 100 percent return on their investment, further impacting and benefiting the local economic stimulus.

In July 2013 Mr. Klett delivered a second testimony to the U.S. Senate Budget Committee regarding the Impact of Sequestration on National Security and the Economy and how it affects VOSBs. He pointed out how gaps in the workforce means gaps in capabilities leading to overall waste of funds burdening National Security. Specifically, he stated, “As DoD draws down it’s forces and spending – we need to develop a strategy to be ready to fight and win the next war not the last one. A big part of that preparation is having a ready agile Force equipped to meet our nation’s strategic security requirements. Our trained veterans can fill much of those strategic niches with small business capabilities.” This testimony was so compelling he was cited by Senate staffers and national media for galvanizing the US Senate towards passing a budget.

Because of his expertise, for the past five years, Mr. Klett has served as a standing member of the White House Economic Advisory Board. For the past eight years, he has been a key member of HRMFFA supporting regional issues and initiatives before mayors, congressional delegations, and senators. He provides a Disabled Veteran Business Owner’s perspective to both boards, pushing for federal, state, and local government funding perspective into Hampton Roads extending from Virginia Beach all the way to Williamsburg/James City.

Mr. Klett is dedicated to growing the next generation of technological and cyber expertise. Due to his relationships with local community colleges, and cyber tech schools, he provides them the needed industry feedback. This in turn facilitates the cyber industry to receive the needed and appropriate skills as graduates make their way into the job sector. His encouragement and enthusiasm for Cyber excellence has resulted in NSA Cyber Center of Excellence Certification for both Universities and Community Colleges in Hampton Roads.